Robin Goodfellow's Blog, page 28

Book Review for Prelude: An Alex Winters Series

Prelude: An Alec Winters Series, by Chariss K. Walker, is a romantic tale about caring for your loved ones, even when you may no longer be human.

The book is separated into two parts. The first part introduces a sixteen-year old boy named Alec Winters, a star football player and honors student who is greatly loved by his hometown. He has his best friend and girlfriend beside him, as well as a younger sister who adores him. That perfect world comes crashing down when Alec finds himself arrested for the murder of his abusive father. Part two deals with the aftermath of Alec’s trial, and the struggles both he and his family have to go through in order to move on with their lives. Alec also develops his newfound abilities to help those in need, while punishing others who seek to do harm. In this fantastical story, Walker illustrates that even the tiniest light that justice offers can remind us that the world is beautiful.

It was strange, reading about these characters. Each one had been touched by Alec in some way. His little sister, his mother, his girlfriend and best friend, and even complete strangers, whether they be good or evil; they all come to him, like lost souls to a hearth. They know there is something different about him, that his powers can both heal and destroy. It’s an aspect of the book that Walker had emphasized over and over again, and its encouraging, to say the least. Nevertheless, I did find Alec a bit annoying. While his relationships with his family and friends were wonderful, they were also pretty dull. There was also the power that Alec possessed; it was frightening, how absolute he seemed in his knowledge of good and evil. There were times when I found his beliefs too burdensome, and to be honest, I was surprised when he hadn’t completely gone off the deep end.

Still, these characteristics gave way to a simple comfort in the book, and that is no matter where you are, there is always someone looking out for you. Although there are many forms of justice, with corruption lurking at every corner, someone will protect you, whether they be close by, or far away. Guardian angels, heroes of legend, even the simplistic knights from long, forgotten fairytales; there is someone that will be there for you.

The book was enjoyable. I liked the thought of a guardian angel watching over distant strangers, as well as the support system these characters have. There were problems with the characters individually, and my confusion on Alec’s morality proved a further detractor. Nevertheless, it was good. I would, thus, give the story a rating of a 3.3 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy The Chosen of Trees and Talons by Jeff Pryor and Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy.

Spooky Twisties 1:13 Tales of Terror by Terri Bertha

Spooky Twisties 1:13 Tales of Terror, by Terri Bertha, is a collection of thirteen short stories, all of whom center on a group of young children that are only beginning to understand the horrors lurking within their sleepy town.

Each tale illustrates the nightmares that hide beneath every tombstone, every Halloween night, and even at every garage sale. From being replaced by a zombie, to being saved by a ghost, to even fighting off a succubus, read how these friends manage to survive each day without dying, all the while going about their daily lives that reminds the readers of just how blissful ignorance can be.

I loved how the stories tied into one another. While the fact that the group never seemed to notice the supernatural occurrences did bother me quite a bit, the way Bertha tied their adventures together made the book worth it. I particularly liked how Bertha incorporated Ms. Miller’s character as the overarching antagonist. The fact that she, aside from Lindsay and her friends, were responsible for at least half of the horrors that this poor town has to go through was amusing, to say the least. It was as if I was watching these two sides walking beside each other, like how day and night do so, albeit cautiously. I felt the fear of the unknown rise within me, while memories of my own childhood prevented me from investigating any further.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.1 out of 5 stars. I loved how the story wraps around the characters, making me reminisce of my own days when I first began this sickening journey down the horror rabbit hole. Thus, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy R.L. Stine.

Book Review for More Spooky Tales Inspired by Real Ghost Stories by Autumn Chills

More Spooky Tales Inspired by Real Ghost Stories, by Autumn Chills, is a collection of short stories that remind us that our loved ones will comfort us, even in death.

Like a pool of memories, these stories remind us of the times when we were little, from being in our loved ones embrace, to a silly prank in a movie theater to even a reminder that someone might not be good for us. The stories are encouraging, despite the fact these characters keep dancing between the edge of life and death. They remove the veil of mystery that the dead usually carries, and reveal a certain innocence to us that manifests when they die. At its most basic element, Chills brings back the simple fact that these ghosts are lonely spirits who did have loved ones in the past, whether they be friends, family, or even strangers that remember them for their kindness.

While it’s interesting to see a demonic entity possess an innocent victim, or a zombie gnawing on the bones of the living, it’s comforting to read about these other spirits. I was particularly comforted by the short story, The Helpful Housekeeper, where the ghost of an elderly woman helps the family living in her house. Like the first book, Chills cultivates a soothing atmosphere that allows the reader to explores the supernatural. It makes you question what happens in the afterlife, and gives you hope that there isn’t just darkness and sorrow when you die.

Overall, I would give this book a rating of a 4.3 out of 5 stars. The comforting air that surrounds each story, as well as the elegant way of illustrating ghosts, was enjoyable, to say the least. Like its predecessor, this book promises the same encouragement that most other books neglect. As such, I would recommend this book to those who love The Angel of a Madman by Ricky Dragoni, as well as the first Spooky Tales book by Autumn Chills herself.

Book Review for Her by Shelby Lamb

Her, by Shelby Lamb, is a short story about falling in love with the hope for the future, while clinging to the despair of the past.

Tinsley is a young woman who struggles with the guilt of accidentally killing her best friend, which also resulted in her disfigurement. One day, while attempting to work at a bakery, she meets the mysterious Jax, whom she begins to fall for. She begins to grow out of her shell, as she learns to live with her disfigurement. This tender story shows how having loved ones can bring you out from whatever horrific isolation you’ve sentenced yourself to, and proves the age-old lesson that you’re stronger than you think you are.

Her is the first book out of a trilogy by Shelby Lamb, and so far, I like what I’m reading. While I did find Tinsley a little annoying at times, I could feel her haunted by remorse. It was as if she was afraid to let go of the past, because that, in of itself, is easier than moving on. I feel that if Tinsley were to repeat the incident over again, she might as well have killed herself, and thus allowed her friend to live. She wouldn’t have to aimlessly wander from day to day, impersonating the living while her heart remains dead. But despite that, from being left behind at a family dinner, to walking into a bakery with a face no “normal” person should have, she still tries to force herself to move on. I applaud Lamb in this aspect of the book.

I enjoyed this short story. Tinsley’s character, as well as the overarching themes in this short story, intricately weave a plot that many people will find enjoyable. I could imagine reading this while playing Evanescence’s Good Enough over and over again in my mind. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.3 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Lamb’s Wisteria series, and Tonya Hurley’s Ghost Girl. 

Book Review for Skeleton in the Closet and Other Scary Stories, by Russell J. Dorn

Skeleton in the Closet and Other Scary Stories, by Russell J. Dorn, is a collection of horror stories that reveal the monsters waiting in the dark, hoping to catch a glimpse of the children they’ll feast on.

Each story contains a dark twist that plunges the protagonist into an array of macabre and blood. From being tricked into giving your skin, to being abused by a demonic teacher, to even having your limbs eaten by the local librarian, these stories main the normalcy of life. Dorn damages our perceptions of reality, as he introduces us to our most primitive fears, before allowing us to fall into our delusions.

When I was young, I was always scared that a vampire or zombie was hiding beneath my bed. Because of that, I would always try to sleep with my parents. So when I picked this book up, I was reminded of my childhood fears. The very first story, Skeletons in the Closet, obviously cultivated on those fears. The story was about a boy who was tricked into giving up his skin to a dark entity hiding in the closet, if only to conceal the fact that his report cards were less than stellar. It’s these things that kept me from putting this book down. The characters were incredibly vulnerable. They were helpless, in the purest sense of the word, and that was what made this collection all the more terrifying. The poems only added to the demented innocence of the story.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.2 out of 5 stars. The reminisces I had from this book depicted the cracks in an otherwise happy childhood. Thus, I would recommend this book to those who love It by Stephen King, and Spooky Tales by Autumn Chills.

Book Review for Spooky Tales Inspired by Real Ghost Stories by Autumn Chills

Spooky Tales Inspired by Real Ghost Stories, by Autumn Chills, is a collection of short stories that show just how fragile the boundary between life and death can be.

Separated into ten different tales, each is an account of an encounter with the supernatural, and will leave tender, yet uneasy chills down your spine. From a woman dressed in blue, saying goodbye to a couple at a train-station, from a grandmother who lovingly cares for her own, Chills gently pushes the reader into a labyrinth of illusion and reality, carefully interweaving our fear of the unknown with a comforting hope that there is something after death.

While it may not be as gruesome as Thomas Flowers’s Feast, or as unsettling as Sandy Benitez’s The Rosegiver, Chills nevertheless takes her collection through relatable experiences that introduces an abnormal crack in our perceptions. There is something about this collection that made me feel hesitant, that made me examine every dark corner in my room, made me see things that forced me question if they were just figures of my imagination, or something more. It made me remember my first time watching Paranormal Activity or Haunting. Chills crafted these simplistic, yet difficult stories that made me scrutinize my childhood. The book is wonderful for young readers, as well as readers who are just getting into horror for the first time.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.2 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber or Abandoned Breaths by Alfa.

Why You Should Volunteer

As Terri Guillemets once said, “The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.”

Whether it be through the services of the American Red Cross, or the endeavors of Peace Corps, volunteering has a special place in the world, because people think of it as a way to give back to the world and their respective society. Whenever we hear about someone volunteering, we think of them surrounded by warm rays of light, perhaps with a friendly smile on their face. It’s gotten to the point where many colleges and employers even look favorably upon those who volunteer.

However, did you know that there are health benefits to volunteering as well? Not only does it have physical benefits, but mental and emotional benefits as well. Below are just a few of such examples.

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1. Decreases the risk of depression

Depression, especially severe depression, can often lead to suicide. As such, it’s important to decrease depression, and one of the ways you can do this is by volunteering. In fact, it’s been proven that when you help others, you become happier, even if it’s just a little bit. Not only do you get a sense of accomplishment whenever you help others, you are are tasked with various responsibilities that allow you to build up your self-esteem. You also get to see problems that bring you out of your own problems, and present yourself in a way that makes you useful to others. You can build social connections, and can even connect you with a support group that you yourself may even need.

2. Helps your heart

Volunteering has also been known to help your heart. A study done by Harvard Medical School has found that volunteering has been linked to lower blood pressure, as well as manages stress. Volunteering also forces you to move around (in person at least), so it improves your circulation system. Because it helps lower stress, it in turn lowers cardiovascular disease Many individuals have also reported to have higher mental and emotional benefits, all of which help promote heart health, all of which will be explained below.

3. Improve Mental and Emotional Benefits

Volunteering allows you to participate in activities that will help you lead a fulfilling life. As stated before, volunteering helps you connect with other people, and because of that, allows you to see just how you’re making a difference in other people’s lives. It soothes the symptoms of stress and anger, and can even boost your confidence.

4. Live a long, healthy life

Not only is volunteering a good way to keep yourself physically and mentally active, but it helps provide you with a sense of purpose. I, myself, have had experience in this. After all, there’s a reason why health professional schools ask that students volunteer at least some of the times. What’s more, many employers often look favorably upon candidates who volunteer.

Volunteering helps you develop experiences, and test the waters of a new career that may benefit you in the future. Not only this, but volunteering also helps teach you different types of skills. Volunteering can help you focus on both your goals and interests, as well as understand different perspectives. Who knows? It may even give you a new hobby along the way.

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Conclusion

Volunteering has many different benefits, both physically and mentally. Not only has the act itself helped cardiovascular health, but it decreases the chance of serious mental conditions such as depression. What’s more, volunteering helps you build up a social network, and learn skills that could benefit you in the future. Overall, volunteering is a special activity that brings people together, and helps us prove ourselves time and time again as kind, compassionate, and, for lack of a better word, hopeful.

 

-Featured image by cocoparisienne 

Book Review for Perfectly Normal by Amy Martin

Perfectly Normal, by Amy Martin, is a young adult fantasy that intertwines the ignorance of the past with hope for the present.

In a small town near the contaminated Rocky Ridge Lake, Rachel Lord is enjoying senior year with her two best friends, Janey and Ellie. One night, Janey disappears, and Rachel decides to go out looking for her. After an unfortunate car accident, Rachel wakes up in Dani Maguire’s body, one of the popular girls at school. As Rachel tries maneuvering her way through Dani’s life, she realizes that there is more to the situation than meets the eye. Just what exactly happened to her, Janey, and Dani? And how are they connected to the disaster at Rocky Ridge Lake so very long ago? In this enchanting story, Martin invokes the age-old consequence of what happens when knowledge falls into the wrong hands, all the while gives rise to a forgotten legacy filled with magic and mischief.

I liked reading about Rachel and Ellie’s friendship. It’s clear they both care about each other in a way that’s more permanent than their dull interactions in high school. They both love Janey as well, and care enough to be concerned that she’s missing. Dani, on the other hand, isn’t forgivable; I was disgusted by how she treated her former friends. Although she may be sympathetic, in the end I can’t help but agree with Ellie, that they do need to be careful around Dani. The fact that Luke, the all around nice guy, was thinking about breaking up with her, was little solace. Not only that, but to find out that one of the mean kids was actually a witch isn’t a pleasant surprise when you hate them with all your guts. Still, these interactions parallel with the witches who did everything they could to protect their lands. Just like the mean kids in high school, they didn’t realize that with time comes change.

This brings me to a prominent theme in the book; you need to be able to adapt to change. With Dani gone, Rachel and Ellie had to move on with their friendship because they knew they couldn’t wait for Dani to just suddenly change her mind. In the same way, the Clairvox witches had (supposedly) burned their spell books, if only to try and help future generations blend in with modern society. While this can be humorous at times, it can also be dangerous. As the witches demonstrated, there were other powerful covens nearby, and unless you know how to control your magic, you’ll be easy prey for them. High school parallels with this too to a lesser extent. This particular theme was well-executed, and was also one of the highlights of the book.

Thus, I would give this book a rating of a 3.7 out of 5 stars. While the character parallels were wonderful, I would’ve preferred there to be more details behind Rachel and Dani’s relationship. However, the theme of change was excellent, the many conflicts in the book dealing with how frightening change can be. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Never Ever by Sara Saedi.

Book Review for Trial by Fear by Bruce E. Arrington

Trial by Fear by Bruce E. Arrington is a dark fantasy that delves into a world of magic and mystery, as Beon, a prince from the lost kingdom Er, struggles to deal with the horrors of his past, as well as search for a future he never dreamt had existed.

The story begins when Beon, a slave, is running away from his goblin masters. Just when he is about to die, a woman named Calandria finds Beon and saves him, before bringing him to her castle. As Beon begins to remember his time as a prince of Er, he learns more about himself, all the while meeting familiar yet strange companions. By the end of the book, he manages to take hold of his new abilities, and finds an inner strength that allows him to overcome his many years as a slave.

Arrington shows a charming simplicity in the way he writes his characters. Each of the people Beon meets are, in fact, remnants of a past he has yet to take hold of. They each have their own skills and story, but in the end, each were saved by Calandria, and play a part in building up Beon’s confidence.  Though their interactions are brief, they were satisfying nonetheless. Personally, I also empathized with Beon’s character. Overcoming fears and self-doubt was something I struggled with for a long time, so I couldn’t help but fall in love with Beon. Despite his struggles and doubts, he still pushed himself, since practicing to shape-shift and to read and write, I imagine, aren’t particularly easy tasks.

I would’ve liked there to be more details in the books. It would’ve been mesmerizing to picture Calandria’s castle in all its majesty, as well as the twisted forests that Beon had to run into to evade his captors; perhaps even digging a home in the dirt would’ve sounded incredibly appealing. Though the lack of sensory imagery was a problem, everything else was fine.

I would give this book a rating of a 3.9 out of 5 stars. The book is enchanting in its undemanding dialogue and settings, to the point where it reminded me of the Mother Goose Tales. Arrington took me back to a much more innocent time where everything was as it should be, and where the world was small enough that I could conquer it. Though I would’ve preferred more details, I would recommend this book to teenagers, Harry Potter fans, and adults who want to be reminded of their youth.

Book Review for The Devil’s Fairy tale by Greg Stewart

The Devil’s Fairytale, by Greg Stewart, is a fantastical adventure that uncovers the dark truth behind the disappearances of three children, all of whom suffer beneath the arrogance of a demonic deal gone horribly wrong.

The book is separated into five parts. The first part deals with Samantha Holderfast, a blind girl whose family has gone missing. The second part introduces Daniel Franzarat Jr., a boy who is trying to find his father after receiving a disturbing call about his father’s allegedly illegal activities. The third part follows Cassandra Boniface, a seventeen year old trying to find her younger brother. Part four deals with the authorities endeavoring to figure out the connection between the unsolved crimes and disappearances, and part five composes of the maniacal, dreamlike world of the Gate. Part six finally tells of the sickening fairytales Cassandra and Samantha are forced to go through, fairytales that were once enchanting in the eyes of society. The Devil’s Fairytale is a nightmarish fantasy that surrounds the victims of a Faustian contract, all while attempting to understand the difference between reality and fiction.

These children were innocent in all of this. Each had family and friends, each trying to figure out exactly what was going on and wanting get back to their loved ones. The adventures surrounding them were unbelievable, with death shrouding every corner. But despite that, they are still going to suffer because of the actions of the adults. Whether affected by the non action of a king, or the corruption of the officials, or even the silence of a father, they all played a role in trapping these children. It’s like the wolf from a black forest, luring them in and promising they’d rest for a while.

This brings me to the illusory atmosphere. Stewart does a particularly good job in forcing us to see through worlds we once thought would’ve been wonderful to live in. He masterfully decimates whatever childlike light we cling to in our past stories. From the triumph of running away from the wolf knocking on our door, to the usurping of an evil prince, there is no satisfaction in these victories. Because no matter how hard we try, we know these children are still trapped, and the further they go, the farther away from reality they get.

This book isn’t for everybody. It can be a bit confusing, but they mystery is well worth the wait. The eerie tension built into each detail is well executed. The adults and children, as well as the subtle, morbid way Stewart tells this story, is also wonderful. Thus, I would give this book a rating of a 3.8 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Christian Nadeau, Lizella Prescott, and Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus.